This document is a formal message from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature confirming that Act 175 was signed into law on July 2, 2024. The actual law, SB2819, amends state traffic statutes to clarify rules for driving on the right side of the road and to mandate that slow-moving vehicles on two-lane roads must pull over if they are impeding traffic. Specifically, it requires drivers moving significantly below the speed limit to move off the roadway at the nearest safe location if five or more vehicles are following behind them. The bill also updates language regarding exceptions for passing, navigating obstructions, and using designated one-way lanes.
This bill is a procedural message from the Governor to the legislature confirming that he signed HB2337 into law on July 3, 2024. The actual policy change within the bill establishes an advisory committee on pesticides to assist the state department in developing and revising pesticide-related laws and rules. The committee will include representatives from various sectors, including health, agriculture, the pesticide industry, environmental groups, and citizen organizations. Members of this committee will be appointed by the governor based on recommendations from the relevant agencies and industries.
This bill, signed into law on July 2, 2024, requires the state to consolidate its information technology services to ensure critical government systems remain operational during power outages or other failures. It directs a working group to create a five-year plan that moves IT staff and functions from various executive agencies into a single central office, while excluding specific entities like the Department of Education and the University of Hawaii. The plan must detail which positions will be transferred, proposed timelines, and the infrastructure needed to maintain redundant power, cooling, and network systems. By centralizing these services, the state aims to prevent downtime and safeguard the availability of essential public services.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on July 2, 2024, strengthens noise pollution regulations in Hawaii to address complaints from residents in high-density areas about loud motorcycles and other vehicles. It creates a new prohibition against driving motor vehicles with mufflers that noticeably increase noise levels above factory settings specifically within counties having a population of 500,000 or more. Additionally, the law establishes a tiered fine system for violations, increasing penalties from $200 for a first offense to $1,500 for a third or subsequent offense within five years, while also updating existing fines for general muffler violations.
This bill, signed into law on July 3, 2024, addresses the issue of feral chickens and roosters in Hawaii by requiring the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with each county on control programs and public education campaigns to stop residents from feeding these animals. Under the new law, every county must provide one hundred percent matching funds to cover the costs incurred by the state department for these specific initiatives. The legislation aims to mitigate nuisance behaviors such as noise, property damage, and disease transmission while protecting native ecosystems and public safety. Effective July 1, 2024, the act establishes a shared financial responsibility between the state and local governments to manage the growing population of feral chickens.
This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii, establishes new criminal penalties for the misuse of uncrewed aircraft, commonly known as drones. It directly affects individuals who operate or possess drones by defining specific illegal actions and assigning them felony or misdemeanor charges. The law prohibits using drones to carry weapons, disrupt manned flights, smuggle contraband into prisons, or cause serious bodily injury, while also banning the disabling of required identification or safety lights. Certain exemptions exist for law enforcement and government personnel acting within the scope of their official duties.
This message from the Governor of Hawaii informs the Legislature that HB2070, known as Act 162, was signed into law on July 2, 2024. The bill modifies state procurement laws by requiring parties who initiate administrative proceedings against government contracts to post a cash or protest bond equal to one percent of the contract's estimated value. This bond is returned to the initiating party if they win the case, but it is forfeited to the state general fund if they lose and the appeal is deemed frivolous or made in bad faith. The change directly affects businesses and individuals involved in challenging contracts with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
This bill, signed into law on July 2, 2024, allows medical cannabis dispensaries in Hawaii to purchase cannabis and manufactured products from other dispensaries. The law requires dispensaries to demonstrate that such purchases are necessary to ensure patients have continuous access to their medication or are for legitimate medical, scientific, or other approved purposes. Under the new rules, a dispensary may transport up to 800 ounces of these products to another dispensary within a thirty-day period, provided the transfer is authorized by the state department. This change aims to update the medical cannabis dispensary system to address issues that have arisen since previous legislation was passed.
This bill, known as Act 165, exempts one additional administrative assistant position within the Hawaii State Public Library System from standard civil service rules. The key provision amends state statutes to allow this specific role to be filled without going through the usual civil service recruitment procedures. By removing this position from the civil service system, the legislation enables the library system to hire the employee more directly and efficiently. The change directly affects the hiring process for this single administrative role while leaving all other library positions and state civil service rules unchanged.
This bill, known as Act 179, establishes statewide rules for operating leaf blowers and weed whackers in residential areas of Hawaii. It prohibits residents from using these noisy tools within residential zones or within 100 feet of them, except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. While the law restricts private use during these times, it explicitly exempts government entities from the ban if they are performing emergency work. Additionally, the legislation allows individual counties to create their own stricter local rules, which would take precedence over the state standards if they are more restrictive.
This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii on July 2, 2024, expands the ability for certain individuals to have their criminal records expunged. It directly affects people who were convicted of underage alcohol consumption or first-time property offenses before the state's current expungement rules were updated. Under the new provisions, eligible individuals can now apply to clear their records once they turn twenty-one, provided they have finished their sentences and have not had any new alcohol or drug-related legal issues. Additionally, the bill allows first-time property offenders whose crimes are linked to substance abuse to receive probation and mandatory treatment instead of jail time, if the court determines they are nonviolent and motivated to recover.
This bill, signed into law as Act 184, authorizes the use of fine meshed nets to protect plants from invasive species like the coconut rhinoceros beetle in Hawaii. The legislation permits this pest control method only if the nets are applied in a way that avoids entangling birds, entering water, or harming native animals such as pollinators and ladybugs. To enforce these safety standards, the Department of Agriculture is required to create specific rules detailing net requirements, including filament diameter, color, and the need for visual cues to prevent accidental entanglement.
